The smell of chlorine has become a familiar smell to freshman Zaylie Smith, and Aubrey Dawson as they take laps in the pool at practice, but soon it’ll be something they miss.

As these girls take their last laps of the season they are going to have to transition from morning practice, inside swimming in the pool, to outside, with the sun on their faces, running on the field and course.

This year’s girls swim season has been filled with many achievements and bonds built through practices.

“The highlight of my season was beating a lot of PR times,” Dawson said. “I got to have a fun season with my friends and messing around.”

While their previous swim season has been successful, everyone starts somewhere and these PLHS students started their swim journeys 8 years ago.

“My parents put me in swim lessons when I was really young and it was the only sport that I really stuck with,” Smith said.

Sports take a toll on everyone, even the coaching staff, Dawson recalls a time when her and her friends got into hot water.

“Me and my friends were doing fun flips instead of doing our warm ups,” Dawson said.

From the beginning to the end of the season Smith has been committed and rounded up the season well at state.

“I performed pretty well,” Smith said “I placed 14th overall in the 100 fly.”

Now that the swim season has come to a close Smith will be making the transition from swimming to cross country conditioning, she will have to be able to handle a new form of activity while also juggling school work and tests.

“Sometimes it has been very difficult, especially in the winter when you have a lot of tests and things going on but I’ve always managed with help from my friends and parents,” Smith said.

With the stress of new sports coming up Dawson reminds everyone to keep a positive mindset.

“Don’t over think it and believe in yourself,” Dawson said. “Gotta keep the positive mind set.”

While Dawson spread positivity, Smith reminds us that during the chaos of new sports you have to always put yourself first.

“Set time aside for yourself not only your sport and school because overall your mental health is more important than any sport,” Smith said.

So as the final ripples from the swim season fade, these athletes aren’t slowing down-they’re already diving into the next challenge as spring sports begin.